After over coming tough obstacles.. I am finally on the right path

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Everybody has tough obstacles in life but wow did I overcome mine.

At the age of 19 I got diagnosed with AML Leukemia. I was still register for classes when I was getting treated. During my treatment I ended up in a comma for about 2 months.

End up failing all my classes which dropped my GPA to a 2.??

After a year of having a Bone marrow transplant I decided to go back to school in Fall 2011. Re took those classes I fail and raised my GPA to a 3.5.

I applied in the Summer of 2012 for the Nursing program that starts in the Fall 2013. I've waited and waited and on April 6, 2013. I opened the mail and I got an acceptance letter.

It feels incredible. I've told EVERYBODY and yes EVERYBODY. I got accepted to the Middlesex County College/ Raritan Bay Medical Center.. Now I have this huge scare.. I don't want to fail. This is what I want to do and I want to prove the people who think I can't do it.. Wrong..

I can't wait to be called a Nurse one day. And I can't wait for my Nurses to see their patient as one of them.. Even though the Cancer was the worse thing possible that happen to me. I still wouldn't change a thing even if I could because the Nurses who saved my life are the reason why I want to be a Nurse. (Thank you!)

If there is anyone who is also in Middlesex County College/ Raritan Bay Medical Center or went their let me know.

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Hi Snow! You are totally awesome for overcoming these obstacles and getting accepted into nursing school! I think Middlesex County College is a two-year college, right? I believe my dad went there, or maybe it was Essex CC. Either way, my dad graduated with his ADN in NJ and eventually got his BSN and MSN. I have no doubt in my mind that your college will prepare you to be a great nurse. You will take similar courses as the BSN students in your state, but you will be more prepared clinically as ADNs are entry-level nurses and are designed to get you immediately into the workforce. The BSN degree is unique in that it emphasizes leadership, management, public health, cultural diversity, global perspectives in healthcare, ethics, and societal issues. Nowadays, the BSN degree is (slowly) becoming preferable in most hospitals due to an oversaturation of nurses, but mainly, the broad knowledge the BSN brings. You will notice in your stay here that there are TONS of ADN vs. BSN threads! You will see people arguing about which one is better, but truthfully, it is neither. In the end, it is what kind of nurse you become and how you get there. Your patient won't remember you for having an ADN/BSN/MSN/etc.; he/she will remember the love, care, and expertise you provided. The nurses who saved your life may even come from different degree levels, but that doesn't matter because you are here today.

You will always be learning so don't stop with the ADN and further your education into your BSN. Times are hard even for nurses. The job market is tight in NY and NJ, but don't let that stop you!

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Very inspiring story. You are a very strong person and I wish you the best in your nursing career! I have a feeling you will be great at it.

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For the 1st time in my life something good finally happened to me. MCC is a 2 yr program & I see this as a HUGE stepping stone.

I'm so excited to the point I am telling my family. I just want support from them because they don't think my body is capable. I disagree. I get how it works because I've seen it with my own eyes.

So I HATE it when they try to bring me down & psych me out. So in order to prove them wrong I want to work 4x harder. But idk reading these threads kinda skyrocketed my anxiety even more.

How is the nursing experience going with you guys?

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For the 1st time in my life something good finally happened to me. MCC is a 2 yr program & I see this as a HUGE stepping stone.

I'm so excited to the point I am telling my family. I just want support from them because they don't think my body is capable. I disagree. I get how it works because I've seen it with my own eyes.

So I HATE it when they try to bring me down & psych me out. So in order to prove them wrong I want to work 4x harder. But idk reading these threads kinda skyrocketed my anxiety even more.

How is the nursing experience going with you guys?

How are you doing now health wise? Doing well?

How are they trying to psych you out?

It seems that you are sure of yourself and you really want it! That's good! Bring that enthusiasm with you wherever you go. All of the nurses here will tell you that nursing school is no joke because it is hard and will require most of your time. It'll be worth it though.

My nursing experience was interesting! I came into the program thinking that I could do what I did before academically since I had pretty good grades, but nursing school is a whole different beast. Like I said before, you will be committing all of your time studying, working on your clinical skills, and writing care plans. You are required to adjust to a new lifestyle as well as thinking. The new nursing student has to learn how to think critically rather than get by just memorizing facts. If you need help, don't hesitate to go to your fellow students and faculty for assistance. Immediately ask for help! Nurses look out for each other.

I loved going to the hospital and working on the SNF floor. Once you start applying what you've learned, you will really start feeling like the nurse you aspire to be. I would say that I'm pretty confident in my clinical skills despite the first semester being similar to the CNA role. What sealed the deal for me in this career is when I built rapport with an elderly couple. I gained their trust. They thanked me, told me their life story, the wife held my hand and gave me several kisses on the forehead, and the husband shook my hand. All this happened before I clocked out for the day. It was great. You will have many experiences like this and it will be what keeps you going.

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My main priority is to have a career, so I guess my health is fine (??).. I don't have medical insurance anymore so I stopped going once all the bills added up to over 7,000 also in collection. Lol :(

I'm starting to get more and more excited. I paid the $545 deposit fee and now I'm just waiting for my orientation (May 23rd).

I'm sure my parents are happy for me but I think they are also worry I might not do as well as other people. I get compared a lot to other people.

Other than that they are lovely people.

I already have dreams of me doing rounds and the doctors are talking jibberish and I have no idea how to respond. I think that's one of my concern. Not understanding the doctors or nurses. Because as a patient I remember they would always use "doctor language" and I always felt stupid saying.. Idk what that word means Lol..

Have you ever had those moments when it seems like the Staff is talking in a different language?

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Wow thanks for sharing. So inspirational!!

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My main priority is to have a career, so I guess my health is fine (??).. I don't have medical insurance anymore so I stopped going once all the bills added up to over 7,000 also in collection. Lol :(

I'm starting to get more and more excited. I paid the $545 deposit fee and now I'm just waiting for my orientation (May 23rd).

I'm sure my parents are happy for me but I think they are also worry I might not do as well as other people. I get compared a lot to other people.

Other than that they are lovely people.

I already have dreams of me doing rounds and the doctors are talking jibberish and I have no idea how to respond. I think that's one of my concern. Not understanding the doctors or nurses. Because as a patient I remember they would always use "doctor language" and I always felt stupid saying.. Idk what that word means Lol..

Have you ever had those moments when it seems like the Staff is talking in a different language?

I believe you can do it and I'm pretty sure the AN community does as well. I hope to see a graduation thread from you two years from now!

I get compared to other people too, but mainly with my childhood best friend. She's also in nursing school. You are only you and no one else, lol.

I've had several moments like that and I usually have to ask the clinician what they mean. Once you start learning your med-surg, pharm, patho, and health assessment, you'll be able to understand what it is the doctors and the nurses are telling you. Even better, you'll communicate with your caregivers easily.

Clinicians may tend to speak using abbreviations like MI for myocardial infarction, which is known as a heart attack. It speeds things up since there is not enough time to say entire words.

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Hi, it's great you were able to overcome your obstacles and get accepted! You should be graduating this May, have you made it or were there any set backs?

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Snowangel hasn't posted since Oct. of 13; hope all went well.

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